This was a very quiet – and very respectful – Memorial Day at the edge of the Comanche National Grasslands.

A year ago, Randy Cooper of the local Farm Bureau Insurance agency was at Springfield Cemetery and noticed three veterans holding a ceremony honoring war dead.

“It just wasn’t right,” Cooper said, that so few had turned out to honor those who had made such a sacrifice. He brought together veteran, municipal and civic groups to set things straight.

Cooper offered what he called “the old Springfield try” as he led the singing of “America the Beautiful” and spoke of the more than 300 veterans buried here; each grave was marked with a small American flag.

Cooper, 58, came to Springfield in 1974.

“Now,” he said, “it’s home.” He said he lives here because of the people.

“There are more dollars to be made elsewhere, but some of us have chosen to stay here and support one another,” Cooper said.

This Springfield was named in 1886 or ‘87 by Frank Pierce Tipton who came by covered wagon from Springfield, Mo., to the southeast corner of Colorado.

Tipton secured title to 80 acres of rolling grassland on which the town was built. It is the seat of government and most populous community in Baca County.

Southeast Colorado Hospital is the largest employer but most folks here still make a living raising cattle, wheat and corn.

Anna Lee Graff, proprietor at Baca Grande Trailer Park in the center of town, left Springfield three times but has always found her way home.

She recalls when Springfield was a major producer of sugar beets and “broom corn,” used to make bristles that swept the floors of American homes.

Mayor Donald “Dusty” Turner was born 20 miles from Springfield but has lived here since 1984.

His daughter was graduated in May with 29 other seniors from the local high school.

“Springfield,” he said, “is where we’ve chosen to raise our family.”

Turner, 45, is a former oil-field roustabout who operates a refuse-collection company.

“One of our biggest assets,” Turner said, is “business owners with a vision for the future and faith in our community.”

He cited Ernie Felzein, who operates a home-improvement center, and Darrin Deen, who is involved in several local ventures.

Traders Thriftway, a grocery store, has been operated by the same family more than 60 years.

Along the main street, US-287, commerce revolves around a few convenience stores and gasoline stations, a Dollar General and a general store.

Springfield’s population has been in steady decline, Turner said, but the hopes to offer young people reasons to “stay in or come back” to Springfield.

Through a program spearheaded by the local economic-development commission, a list is being compiled matching young people with business owners nearing retirement age.

Owners will train their replacements who, hopefully, will become the next generation of business owners.

And part of Springfield’s future may, indeed, be blown’ in the wind.

“There’s almost always a wind here,” Turner said as he gestured toward the gigantic wind-driven turbine at the edge of town.

The windmill provides most of the electricity Springfield needs.

The town was smack-dab in the middle of America’‘ Dust Bowl during what is referred to here as “the Dirty Thirties.”

“Living in a rural community is an acquired taste,” Turner said.

“You either love it or leave it.

“But that’s just the way we are,” Turner said. “We have faith in each other. This is where we’ve always been and it’s where we’re going to stay.”

Norm Roy lives and travels in a motorhome. His e-mail address islollygaggerat large@gmail.com